The United Kingdom has returned 32 gold and silver treasures stolen from the Asante Kingdom more than 150 years ago in what is today's Ghana on a six-year loan, Ghanaian negotiators said. The artefacts were looted from the court of the Asante king during the turbulent 19th century clashes between the British and the Asante people.

Kumasi

In a historic move, the United Kingdom has returned 32 gold and silver treasures to Ghana, which were taken more than 150 years ago from the Asante Kingdom. The artefacts have been repatriated on a six-year loan, following extensive negotiations. These items, acknowledged as stolen from the court of the Asante king, mark a significant moment as they are returned to their country of origin.

The return of these items was celebrated in Ghana, with large crowds gathering to witness what has been described as the return of the nation's crown jewels. This event is particularly poignant as it is the first time these artefacts have been in Ghana since their removal by British colonialists in the 19th century. The Asante King highlighted the deep cultural and spiritual significance of these items to the people of Ashanti, noting that though not all stolen treasures have been returned, those that have been embody the soul of the Ashanti people.

The treasures, taken during colonial-era conflicts, include items looted in 1874. Their return coincides with the silver jubilee of the Asante King and is seen as a step towards healing the wounds of the past. The Victoria and Albert Museum, representing the UK in this gesture, expressed hope that this loan would foster stronger cultural ties and help both nations move beyond their difficult shared history.

Acknowledgements have been made by the museum regarding the "painful history" of these objects, encompassing the impacts of imperial conflict and colonialism. This act of repatriation comes at a time when European and US museums face increasing pressure to return African cultural items to their places of origin. The returned Asante treasures have been placed on display at the Manhiya Palace Museum, where they will remain accessible to the public for the next three years.



U.K. returns looted Ghana artefacts on loan after 150 years

Celebrations in Ghana as crowds gather to witness the return of what's been described as the nation's crown jewels. It's the first time they've been back on Ghana's soil since they were taken by British colonialists 150 years ago. The Asante King underlined the significance of the moment. The items that came back, virtually the soul of the people of Ashanti, we are displaying this for you to see that the items that were stolen, looted, in 1874, not all of them has returned but what we have here still embodies the soul of Ashanti. The 32 items were taken by the UK during the colonial era. Some were looted during wars with the Asante Kingdom. This long-term loan took decades to negotiate and marks the silver jubilee of the Asante King. The Victoria and Albert Museum hopes this will be a foundation for stronger cultural links in the future and a way to move on from a difficult past. We acknowledge the very painful history surrounding the acquisition of these objects, a history tainted by the scars of imperial conflict and colonialism. European and US museums are under growing pressure to return stolen African items to their place of origin. Benin and Nigeria have also been negotiating similar deals. The Asante treasures will be on display to the public at the Manhia Palace Museum for the next three years. Vincent Monaghan, Al Jazeera.

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